YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wanting a new look

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Wanting a new look - and budget realities https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sat, 16 May 2026 11:21:06 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Suz on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1440299 Tue, 10 Feb 2015 14:05:05 +0000 Suz 1440299@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, maybe I have misunderstood your posts. My apologies.  I seem to remember  a number of posts where you had items not working together very well, where people were telling you "It would look good if you had this or that," (and you had no "this" or "that") or they were suggesting that you adjust proportions and you felt unable to do that with what was in your closet.  I thought that in this post, you were expressing frustration about that, but perhaps I was simply projecting. I know in my own first year or two on YLF, people sometimes made (kindly intended) suggestions that I simply couldn't put into effect (e.g. "This would look good with different footwear," when my budget didn't allow new footwear, or "Do you have a different top?" when, NO, I did not have a different top!) And sometimes I felt sad or frustrated about that.  Anyway, it sounds as if you're not as worried about the work capsule as I thought. And that is great news!  Your clothes do not look boring to me. Most of them (the grey dress excepted) have detail (especially ruffles and draping). In my closet, that would make them harder to pair with other things over the long term. Items with clean lines are easier for me to mix with one another. But maybe that's not true for you. I do know that if I wear the same six or seven outfits five days a week for months and months, I definitely get bored, no matter how much inherent interest the clothes may have. So that is probably a factor as well.  I think what I hear people saying is that without the simple, clean lined backbone capsule, the "playing" and "fun" is much harder to do successfully over the long term. Especially if you are on a very tight budget. Because the "fun" pieces are the "trend" pieces -- and the trends usually involve a switch up of silhouettes. Until and unless you have a strong core of simple fluidly tailored current pieces to use as your backbone, it's harder to pick and choose trends that work for you well.  anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1440186 Tue, 10 Feb 2015 08:32:27 +0000 anne 1440186@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kiwigirl - I like your suggestion of "a long sleeved lightweight modern trendy top" I was thinking of one like Angie had in this blog post <a href="http://youlookfab.com/2015/01/30/ensemble-flares-drape-front-tops-pointy-toes/" rel="nofollow">http://youlookfab.com/2015/01/.....inty-toes/</a> AM - I like this idea "Go of a wine colored pant/skirt" Shiny - I'll have a good long look at the vivienne files. I am not sure about trousers though. I don't think I need more than one pair at most and I really don't think I look good in them (I realise I did mention them in my initial post though...) which is annoying because the fashion has been quite trousers focused recently. Beth Ann - thanks for the encouragement!  And you know I looked for that white jacket this morning thanks to you and I couldn't find it - oops. You'd think that with such comparitively small wardrobe as I have that this wouldn't happen, but I seem to have misplaced my staple black cardi too!  In other news I am now on a diet. This may mean I can bring back a few items into the wardrobe (A nice blue and white striped skirt, for one) if it does the trick and I can lose some weight. anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1440142 Tue, 10 Feb 2015 04:42:34 +0000 anne 1440142@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Trying to respond to everyone here Dimity I have had mixed luck with sewing for myself. The top in number 5 was a success, but most of the skirts haven't been (I still have one set aside for if I ever lose 4 kilos!) Also my sewing machine has stopped working. Suz - I am thinking about what you are saying. Thanks for sharing so much of your past life. I don't think I am in quite such dire straits though! (I have at 4 pairs of jeans, for starters!)  I don't exactly feel like I have a lots of orphans (except sometimes when they are handed down items, like the skirt in number 5) - in fact I feel like I have quite a cohesive work wardrobe - just a bit boring, and I'd like to have more variety and update it and have some more pizzazz.  But I'd love to hear if YOU think I have orphan like looks, as I may be have been living in a fantasy, or just forgetting frustations I have previously expressed! I do know I have felt a bit hamstrung in trying new things like for example, ankle pants, because I don't have the appropriate shoes to wear with them, and semi tucks, because I only own one belt. Is that what the sort of thing you mean? Trekkiegirl - I am going to try your suggestion for the scuffed patent Dimity on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439621 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 08:04:27 +0000 Dimity 1439621@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, yes, a little bit extra would make such a difference to give you some variety but without going the whole $1000. At the moment, you've got absolute needs covered, but no more, and everyone needs some fun. Anyway, you could try something and see how you go.  Having some cardigans really helps to add variety once it starts to get cool enough to wear them. anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439618 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 07:40:52 +0000 anne 1439618@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Dimity -I do have time to look at shops in my lunch hour!  And yes, maybe a smaller infusion of the budget would be sufficient. (years of my life I have spent more than $1000 in a year on clothes= 2, possibly 3. Not a high proportion) anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439609 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 06:17:06 +0000 anne 1439609@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Firecracker - I actually did buy a striped tube skirt in 2013, when I first returned to corporate environment full time work. It was great - I'll see if I can pull up a pic. Unfortunately it has pilled a lot and I feel like it isn't polished enough now. Last week I thought I saw a possible contender in a shop and planned to come back and try it on. I have just come back from my lunchbreak and couldn't fint it!! i love love love the look of pencil skirts - but they are VERY hard to manage with my thighs. Sadly. And you made me realise I hadn't mentioned my cardigan collection - I have one in black, one in hot pink, and a new to me (from Lyn D) one in cobalt. anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439592 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:48:35 +0000 anne 1439592@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Kiwigirl - I think we writing at the same time. Yes I remember a friend back in the 90's saying she just bought one new suit every year! anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439591 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:47:07 +0000 anne 1439591@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sharon - hope I answered your questions with the pictures AM - I am really trying to get away from grey - I already have a lot, but I am not sure it is all that flattering on me. I am lucky in that I already recieve handed down items - sometimes they really hit the mark, sometimes completely not, others I would never have chosen but try to give a good try out. I have some given to me last month that I haven't shown YLF yet - will try to get on to that. Annabelle  - thanks for the encouragement Shipskitty - transseasonality isn't really an issue. With some exceptions and modifications I find I wear my office clothes all year around. I sure do need to buy some new necklaces and probably look out my scarves - I do have some but hadn't thought of wearing them in summer And - you and many others have mentioned going for neutral colours and basic shapes - I am not sure that is the direction I want to go in! You've seen my wardrobe - that is what it is filled with already! I kind of want to up the style quotient, to quote Angie anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439587 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 04:35:48 +0000 anne 1439587@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I am touched at how much response this thread has  created  - will continue to get back to people. Deb - you asked "are focusing on Autumn / Winter". No - not particularly. In fact I felt that I was dressing  a bit dark and out of sorts with the summer here - which effectively goes on til mid -April. We don't have Aldi over here!! Good idea to have a look at Asos and the Iconic. I do find my boot size (6) tends to sell out very fast - but hang on - isn't that your size too? (I remember us discussing shoes  size on the melbourne meet but I'm getting hazy on the details) My orthotic shoes aren't covered by health insurance. I don't ABSOLUTELY have to have them - I don't wear them much in summer for instance, and I don't wear them with heeled boots - but there is no doubt they are very comfortable. I have to have either very high vamp or Mary Jane too. My student friends tell me there is good thrifting near to us (there is a hip gentrified suburb a few kms further in than us) but I don't know if it is suitable for me! trekkiegirl on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439579 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 03:56:55 +0000 trekkiegirl 1439579@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ You've gotten tons of great advice, so I only have a couple things to say. One, your existing pieces are extremely versatile and not overly trendy so as to become quickly outdated, so that's a huge plus. Two, there is one way to fix those dark red shoes, at least temporarily until you can buy more or replace those. You'll need small sharp scissors, a soft nail buffer or very fine grain nail file, and nail polish. First, snip away any peeling pieces so they don't snag and rip further. Next, gently file the rough edges until smooth. Last, you'll need to find nail polish in as close a shade to the color of the shoe as you can. Test in the least conspicuous location of the shoe for color match, as the polish may look slightly different once dried. Apply to the scuffed spots one or two coats as needed, let that dry, then cover with a shiny clear top coat polish to blend it into the patent shine. Voila - nearly new shoes! Suz on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439545 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 01:58:04 +0000 Suz 1439545@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Yes, what Caro said. Simple essentials that work well together are the goal. When your pieces all include draping, or ruffles, or some kind of obvious detail, it becomes harder to mix them even if they are all solids and all in compatible colours. This kind of piece is absolutely wonderful to add "vim" to the wardrobe but becomes a bit of a diva (apologies to Beth Ann) if you don't have the backup chorus.  AM on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439539 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 01:47:40 +0000 AM 1439539@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ New top is great! I hope you feel as great as it looks. Caro in Oz on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439530 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 01:35:35 +0000 Caro in Oz 1439530@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Like Suz, I also felt that you were struggling to make outfits with a high happiness factor. I also feel that you struggle with items that just don't want to mix & match with enough of your other clothes. That is where my thoughts on versatile pieces came from - if one is going to have a small wardrobe imo nearly everything has to work well together. Love the new top Beth Ann on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities/page/2#post-1439526 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 01:33:13 +0000 Beth Ann 1439526@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I like your new work top, Anne!  You've received some great input already.  I'd encourage you to spend some time remixing in your closet.  I rarely have lots of time to do this, but I sometimes pick and item, say, your pleated skirt, and try it on with everything I think even might work.  Photographs help me remember things. I think your dresses are the strongest element of your work wardrobe, and I think you're underutilizing that lovely white jacket.  It is dressy, and probably needs to be laundered more often, but I could see it paired with the blue/black/white print sheath.  It would be great for dressy occasions, too. I think that you would do well to add updated and foot-healthy shoes to your work wear.  I find it essential to vary what I wear on my feet, or they tire quickly.  You have been working around lots of wardrobe holes while being the primary breadwinner for a time.  Only you know what makes you comfortable financially, but I think purchasing a small, but updated capsule is an investment in your career.  We don't need a closet full of pretties, but we only skimp for so long before the holes become hard to maneuver around. Lastly, I like Deb's focus on Ponte di Roma -- this fabric is forgiving and very comfortable.  I have two jackets and several skirts in this fabric, and they always look polished while being comfortable and easy to care for. Sal on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439505 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 00:55:37 +0000 Sal 1439505@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I agree, that really suits you!! Between this, the pink top, your patterned dress and the grey skirt you have some lovely pieces to build on. Suz on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439498 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 00:50:31 +0000 Suz 1439498@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, you look GORGEOUS in that top. Just stunning. Love it and it also works well with the skirt.  anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439495 Mon, 09 Feb 2015 00:44:08 +0000 anne 1439495@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lots to respond to though am now at work so I can't yet..thanks so much. Popping in to show another work top. It is only a month old so I hadn't taken a picture yet. This is what I'm wearing today. The top is navy shiny on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439253 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 16:58:29 +0000 shiny 1439253@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, have you checked out Vivienne Files yet? Perhaps her "starting from scratch" series is just what you need?  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theviviennefiles.com/p/starting-from-scratch.html">http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....ratch.html</a> Take a look here for an example "map" -  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theviviennefiles.com/2014/06/starting-from-scratch-brief-pause-to.html">http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....se-to.html</a> ... and plug in the pieces you already have. You've already got a nice blazer, cardigan, skirt, and I count three (four?) tops. What you are desperately missing are trousers, so that is where I'd start. Find a pair of fabulous fitting trousers, and then duplicate so you have two pairs. And yes, I commiserate on how difficult it is to find trousers - that's my biggest challenge as well. Find a silhouette that works for you -- and I really love the silhouette of the trousers in the last pic. Even if you can only find just ONE pair of perfect black dress pants, that'll give you lots of mileage, and you can wear those same black dress pants more than once a week, and nobody will notice. In my lean years -- struggling single mom getting back in the work force -- I confess I only owned one pair of black trousers for awhile, and I wore them every day. Then I duplicated them, and nobody had any clue. It was my uniform - black pants, black shoes, and 6 tops were the extent of my work wardrobe for a full time job. Boring, yes, but made getting dressed in the morning super easy. Come to think of it, this is probably why I adore blouses with patterns and color -- because for a long time it was how I was able to add interest.  Then you'll need to hunt down two pairs of work shoes. Add accessories, and you've got a work capsule. If budget allows, add a pair of dressy jeans. Pay attention to color scheme so that it all works together.  I do think you look fabulous in dresses and the two here are great. One is a neutral sheath that can be accessorized for various looks; the other is more of a statement dress, and as such, more memorable. If you were to add another dress, I suggest you stick to neutral and simple - another sheath in a different neutral like black or navy. Or a jersey dress with sleeves. You can also check out VF's four-by-four wardrobes and take that approach:  <a rel="nofollow" href="http://www.theviviennefiles.com/p/four-by-four-wardrobes.html">http://www.theviviennefiles.co.....robes.html</a> I found VF immensely helpful for building cohesive travel work capsules. I also used her method to build a work capsule for my DD's internship. What I did was start on "paper" -- i.e., Powerpoint. I clipped photos of all the items I already owned, and put them in a PPT slide, just like VF lays things out. This helped me see the color scheme and the gaps.  AM on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439195 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 15:26:29 +0000 AM 1439195@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Agree on needing to replace the shoes. And your grays, blues, and pinks are a very nice color palette to build on. I echo with Suz says in wanting to feel great about the way you look so really do some serious bargain shopping. Looks like you have enough dresses. Perhaps add gray pants (if you can do a trouser) and a  black top (or two). An I would definitely have black trousers. And consider creating tone on tone and/or monochromatic outfits. Go for an all tone on tone blue outfit to go with that nice ruffly blouse. Maybe two of these all blue. Go of a wine colored pant/skirt to go with some of those pinks. Again, maybe two of these. Then have the all black. And the all gray.  And again, scarves! Black, gray, pink, and blue. And I would suggest gray cardigan. Suz on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439180 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 14:36:15 +0000 Suz 1439180@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, you've received lots of wise suggestions. I think Dimity's idea about investing time if money is impossible is another way to go. Decide in advance you will do some sewing and get that pattern and/or make time for the sales or online shopping you will need to do to find the true bargains. And go from there.  I didn't mean to imply that none of your current pieces are usable, and I'm sorry if I did so.  My thought was more that while I think you take pleasure in some individual pieces, I have noticed you struggle time and again to create OUTFITS that make you happy and work for your environment (especially your work environment) -- and one reason for this is the way that circumstances have prevented you from buying much at any one time.  I am all for a lean closet and responsible purchasing, mindful of pocketbook, environment, and ethical issues. At the same time, I've also learned that it is an almost impossible task to try to keep purchases to "replacements of essentials" if your capsule is bare-bones minimum to begin with. There's always something not-quite-working. Always a frustration, always a niggling sense that you don't look the way you envision. It's very difficult to feel or perform your best under circumstances like that.  Your clothes wear out much faster if you have no alternates. This is especially true for footwear, which unfortunately is a particularly big expense for anyone and especially you, given the need for orthotics and shoes that work with those.  Also, bargain and thrift shopping and subsisting on other people's donated clothing can end up creating more problems than it solves. (I did it for years before YLF, so I know.)  As a temporary solution, it may be the only one possible. It was for me. Or that's how I saw things, anyway. Like you, I worked outside the home four days a week. My setting was (fortunately) very casual. So I could wear my (single) pair of jeans. But even with those, I had essentially two work outfits, and I almost never felt good about myself, even in those, because they only really worked for specific weather conditions. Don't even ask me what I did when something dressier was called for. Sometimes I sat in front of my closet and cried.  The difficulty is that it's much harder to stick to a plan and much easier to end up with orphans that only make you feel guilty and frustrated. You see them hanging there and wonder why they are not working for you. In fact, they seem to work AGAINST you. And that can be very disheartening.  I think all the pieces in your capsule except the shoes can still be worn and look lovely on you. I especially like your newer dress. At the same time, I think starting from scratch in imagination and creating a small capsule to which these pieces might be added as "spice" or "variety" is what I'd be trying to do in your shoes. So to speak.  :)  And for the pieces in that capsule, I'd want separates, as others have said. Separates and a choice of footwear -- at least two different types of shoe/ bootie/ boot. Taking a look at the Vivienne Files might be a great place to start or simply a look at one of Angie's capsules. You don't need the exact items, but it gives you ideas. Two- three bottoms, 4-6 tops, two toppers, one or two bags, two footwear. If Debs is right and those ponte pieces she mentions would be a good fit, maybe that's where to start?  Dimity on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439144 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 10:49:32 +0000 Dimity 1439144@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I can relate to what a dilemma this is. I've had really tight budgets and a job that had very smart dress code, and it's tricky. I managed by getting a few different tops that worked with my bottoms, as that changed my look the most for the least money. I had a black suit and a navy suit and wore the pieces separately a lot with different tops. The other thing that I do is use two great (after years of tweaking and adjusting) skirt patterns that I can make up in lots of different fabrics and so I can make a skirt for just a few dollars if I find the fabric on sale (half price sale at Lincraft currently!). I just made six skirts for autumn/winter and I spent $36 for them. Half a metre of ponte is $5 at Spotlight at the moment and that's a pretty cheap, handy skirt. The scuff on those shoes seems a little too noticeable for work when you want to make a good impression, unfortunately. They will bring down your outfit, sadly. Shoes make such a difference - I've learned this here. I shop clearance racks to stretch my budget when I can't get something from an op shop or make it. I got a great Country Road shirt for $20 recently, and another one from Target for $8. If you can't put more money in your budget, then the other alternative is to take some time to go through clearance racks, especially if you don't want to thrift. It's pretty hard to dress well if you don't spend either money or time, I've found. The time is for looking at a LOT of stuff and trying it on (and rejecting the vast majority) at all sorts of clothing places. I know you said you get tired by shopping, but maybe you can choose one shop on your lunchtime and look for 20 mins every second day or so? Or, if you put an extra $250 in the budget, instead of the $1000, it would give you a chance to get several new pieces that will make a big difference to how easily you can get dressed. Sometimes you really do have to invest in yourself.  Firecracker (Sharan) on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439125 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 07:23:18 +0000 Firecracker (Sharan) 1439125@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Anne, the clothes you posted are a great base to work with--all pieces that look beautiful on you, and a good color palette for mixing. I love that gray skirt--it's good you remembered it. Yes, I'd say you need to replace the shoes, since polish won't do the trick. I wonder if you might consider a pencil skirt or tube skirt--more slim or tapered than your suit skirt, so a different profile, and also more casual. I'm thinking it would be great with that gorgeous pink drapey top for casual days at work. And what about a shrug or short cardigan that could stand in for a jacket, again on casual days, over your dresses, the pink drapey top, or maybe your blouses? It could also work as a casual at-home piece. I think your plan is do-able, and it sounds like Deborah has you sorted with a potential source! anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439122 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 07:16:34 +0000 anne 1439122@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Firecracker Thanks for such a long post. I think my charcoal suit is fine for interview etc. I don't really think I need a new jacket. Office wear in my new place doesn't seem to need jackets much, at least at this point in the year. Trousers are a sore point with me. I find them so very hard to fit. I do have one pair, bought about 5 years ago, but they weren't the right length (despite my hemming them myself) and when I undid them to fix it I discovered they were worn about the hem. Then I thought I'd turn them into ankle pants and then my sewing machine stopped working so they have stayed in the mending pile since them! Not sure how many things can do double duty - of course the  casual friday stuff can. Sal on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439120 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 07:09:53 +0000 Sal 1439120@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I think all the pieces you show are fine to wear but I think the shoes probably look too scuffed - and I am thinking hard/impossible to repair.  Given that the shoes probably have to take priority I would look with your $200 budget for two great additions to liven up your existing pieces, maybe some fab trousers (or a skirt) and possibly a long sleeved lightweight modern trendy top that go together and that you can mix in with the other pieces.  A couple of cheap shells or tees to wear under the white and black jacket would also be useful.  Trousers can be pricey but not always - I like Jacqui E which is an Australian brand and not too badly priced and in regular sale. I think new jeans are important that you feel great wearing in the weekend and possibly on casual Fridays in the cooler months.  These would go with your fab pink top, the white jacket and the last top shown.  If you are self conscious about your legs then having new ones that you love is even more important. Feel free to ignore all this advice as well! anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439118 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 07:01:26 +0000 anne 1439118@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz (and Caro) I do appreciate your bluntness - and compassion. Of course your post was the one that made me have to think the most.  And then I went over to the budget app and added another 1000 to the "clothing- "and took it out of savings!  So yes we could do it. (not sure if I'll keep it there, of course) After about 15 months of us living just off my wages DH is planning to get paid for at least 6 months this year so the pressure is off a bit - which is why I had already increased my clothing budget by 50%!  I shall have to think through whether I feel I can justify a further increase! anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439114 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 06:33:41 +0000 anne 1439114@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Summer - I guess that is the issue isn't it - priorities!  I do have a couple of pairs of bootcuts jeans, but they won't do in the rain, and my current maroon skinnies are nearly worn out - though they may last out another year, thus the ** . Also. I have some lovely pants from Lyn D which may work as a replacement skinny jean, though I am a little self conscious of my thighs in them. I guess I don't know if NEED more work clothes - after all if one goes minimalist, I can wear 1 dress one day, one the other and one skirt and top the third. It is more a case of feeling a bit bored and wanting to be more up to date anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439110 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 05:51:13 +0000 anne 1439110@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ <a href="http://youlookfab.com/member/tr3kkie9rl/profile/" rel="nofollow">tr3kkie9rl  </a>- (I just looked at your profile and you're a Mum!! I thought you were way younger!)  I have to admit to something of an aversion to thrift shops, as I get tired out by shopping, was a bit burnt out by 8 years living in a regional town where the pickings weren't great, and a general feeling that they aren't great for finding specific items. I should check out consignment shops though, now I am back in the city. Rachylou - there are lots of peplum tops around at reasonable prices and I am seeing them a lot on people still Gradfashionista. It may be hard to find one long enough for my long waist though - in fact I was thinking it would be easier to find it in a skirt anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439108 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 05:12:54 +0000 anne 1439108@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Here they are 1. The scuffed shoes  - do they need replacing? 2 The dress from 1999 3 suit skirt 4 top 5 suit jacket 6 blouse (probably too hot for the moment) and skirt (I had forgotten about this skirt!) 7.Dress from 2013 (it is sleeveless) 8 Another jacket (I had forgotten about this one as well!) 9 a work top Sal on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439106 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 04:50:14 +0000 Sal 1439106@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have been in this space and really had about six outfits for five days of work.  Tops and sweaters need the most frequent laundering so this is the area where you need the most.   I think in a minimalist way you could have two classic pairs of trousers and wear them both twice a week with different tops and be just fine.   It almost was easier in the age of suits - because they were expensive people did not have many, so repeats were more frequent. Good luck with your challenge :) anne on "Wanting a new look - and budget realities" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/wanting-a-new-look---and-budget-realities#post-1439102 Sun, 08 Feb 2015 04:32:32 +0000 anne 1439102@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Thanks so much everyone. I am thinking over your suggestions deeply and will respond in a little while.  I just thought before I do that I'd put up some pictures of my current work wardrobe. So I'll just pop over to my phone and see if I can pull some out.